<p>I wanted to post this question in the Parents Forum, because I thought parents may have some experience in this area. Basically, how do you meet new like-minded people. Let me give some background. I am a recent college graduate with my own place. I don’t drink, so the bar scene does not appeal to me. I have been trying to find some people at work but have really not ‘clicked’ with anyone. Also, money is limited right now, so joining things that would require fees is not really an option for right now. I am the type of person who usually has one or two close friends rather than an extensive social network. It also takes me a while to warm up to people - I tend to not open up to people until a little later.</p>
<p>“but have really not ‘clicked’ with anyone.”</p>
<p>thats because ego is in your way.</p>
<p>you can go to bars and clubs without drinking.</p>
<p>Why do you say it’s my ego? Most people at my work are older with families. They are very nice, but they tend to go home to their kids and not hang out after work.</p>
<p>And yes, I know you can go to bars and clubs without drinking, and I have, but it’s just not something that’s fun for me, and that’s not something I want.</p>
<p>What about your alumni association? Does your school have a facility in the City? Whenever my daughter is at home she gets together with friends from college in NYC, and they have friends from other schools. In the summer it’s like her whole school is in NYC.</p>
<p>I would try to join clubs that pertain to your interests. For instance if you like reading, join a book club. Cooking? Take a class, or join something that pertains to that. Check Craig’s list for both club opportunities and volunteer opportunities.
Volunteering is a great activity because you get to socialize, while doing good things.</p>
<p>The most important thing to do is get out and be around people.</p>
<p>The book Frommer’s NYC Free and Dirt cheap is a great resourse of cheap things to do around the city.
If you are spiritual, maybe check out places of worship. Look for one that has social activities for people your age.</p>
<p>Two ideas I’d try if I were new and had no extra money to spare: </p>
<p>Find a volunteer organization and donate some time. Pick a cause you care about and you’ll be likely to meet similar others. </p>
<p>Or try [New</a> York, NY Meetup Groups - ■■■■■■■■■■](<a href=“Error! | Meetup”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■/cities/us/ny/new_york/groups/)</p>
<p>A very easy way to make friends in nyc is to join a food co-op like the 4th street</p>
<p>Meet-ups are a good source for meeting like minded/interest people. You can do as much or as little as you are comfortable with. Pick an interest like coffee, shows, opera, music, books, food, wine, movies, etc or whatever and you are bound to meet a group of people that you can make a connection with.</p>
<p>Volunteer for organizations that interest you, take workshops, etc. in subjects that interest you, if you are religious/spiritual join a place of workshop, join an alum group and/or professional organization or political organization, do activities that interest you even if you have to do them alone, don’t rule out friendships because people are older than you. At age 58, I have friends whom I hang out with whose ages range from 70 to 19. Common interests and values are what attract me to people, not age.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about meeting people. Explore NYC and the options it has; museums, galleries, music, dance, social justice, art classes, or whatever it is that interests you, or that you always wanted to try. Then do it. Volunteer for something. Eventually, you will find what you want to do and along the way you will have enjoyed and enlightened yourself. In the end you will find that you have met people with the same interests you have. Look for blogs by people in the neighbor that you live in as they are great sources of things to do.</p>
<p>Looks like NSM and I were thinking the same thing at the same time. LOL.</p>
<p>Son hates to live alone. Always in a triple as undergrad. Share apartment and dorm as a grad.
Shared living arrangements most of internships. And now in shared rental house, where something is always happening with 5 other house mates. </p>
<p>He saves a bundle of time and $$$$.</p>
<p>Join a gym. Sign up for group exercise classes.
Join jogging or cycling clubs.
Volunteer.
Are you religious? Attend services, esp. ones targeted towards young professionals
Try Craigslist, OkCupid, etc. Seriously, the Internet draws like minds.</p>
<p>Ummm, maybe not Craigslist…you don’t want to be murdered.</p>
<p>Even if you are only mildly religious, you might want to look for a large, well-located congregation of your religion/denomination and see if it has large young adult organized groups of some kind, either educational or social. Classes at the New School used to be a good way to meet people also–any night class in any subject that interests you. Other possibilities according to your interests: walking tours; volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen; any activity where you will just naturally end up meeting people in a casual way. Just do things and you will end up knowing people.</p>
<p>These are all excellent ideas and I hope you try those that are best for you. Six years ago our very social, outgoing older D did a two year stint with NY teaching fellows and also had a tough time finding a group with whom to socialize. She lived in Manhattan but taught in the Bronx and while she really liked her fellow teachers, they were older and mostly had families. So - I don’t think your situation is unique. Hope some of the suggestions work for you!</p>